The Center for Contemplative Practice
A Lay Cistercian Looks at Spiritual Reality
Category: secular
THE CHRIST PRINCIPLE: PARADIGM SHIFTS THAT ADD DEPTH OF MEANING TO MY VIEW OF REALITY
This is a reposting of a previous blog. It is substantially long for a blog because it is a chapter from my book, The Christ Principle. I add it here because of its importance to my reflections about my humanity. This is a very… Continue Reading “THE CHRIST PRINCIPLE: PARADIGM SHIFTS THAT ADD DEPTH OF MEANING TO MY VIEW OF REALITY”
ANTICIPATION AND CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE
I remember watching the movie, Rocky Horror Picture Show, and listening to Tim Curry sing the song “Anticipation.” God gives me crazy thoughts from the most unlikely places. In this case, I was mesmerized by how Tim Curry sang the song, dressed as a… Continue Reading “ANTICIPATION AND CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE”
THE ANNIVERSARY OF MY FINAL PROFESSION AS A LAY CISTERCIAN: FIVE LESSONS THAT SHAPE MY LIFE
As I look back on my life, which is a very long look, I usually reflect on what is good and try to forget all those times (the majority of my life) when I made a fool out of myself or was outright full… Continue Reading “THE ANNIVERSARY OF MY FINAL PROFESSION AS A LAY CISTERCIAN: FIVE LESSONS THAT SHAPE MY LIFE”
THE ART OF CONTEMPLATION: Outline of contemplative practices.
Contemplation, or what I know of it so far, is going to that one place inside you where no one wants to go, a place where you are vulnerable and frightened of what you might find, but one that, like a moth to a… Continue Reading “THE ART OF CONTEMPLATION: Outline of contemplative practices.”
SOLITUDE: The need to be with God.
There are at least four themes of prayer that I have detected in my Lectio Divina. They are not the typical four types of prayer, such as petition, thanksgiving, praise, and reparation. I realized these four themes in my sleep sometime before I woke… Continue Reading “SOLITUDE: The need to be with God.”
WHAT IS TRUTH?
As one who can only aspire to be a Lay Cistercian, I aim to seek God by moving from self to God. That word, moving, is actually key to my attempts. Here are some reflections on moving from my false self to my true… Continue Reading “WHAT IS TRUTH?”
CONTEMPLATIVE READING: Growing deeper through the Word.
Reading a phone book (do those still exist?) provides me with information about how to communicate with another person if they are in the phone book. Reading Sacred Scriptures is unlike reading any other book. Because it is God’s Word, authorized through the Church… Continue Reading “CONTEMPLATIVE READING: Growing deeper through the Word.”
FOUR LEVELS OF CHURCH: Keep my commands
Disclaimer: What follows is not authorized by Cistercians, Lay Cistercians, or Roman Catholic Church but is solely the opinion of a broken-down, old temple of the Holy Spirit. During one of my Lectio Divina meditations (Phil 2:5), I asked what Christ did to ensure… Continue Reading “FOUR LEVELS OF CHURCH: Keep my commands”
THE PHENOMENON OF MAN: Background for The Christ Principle as Intelligent Progression.
If you have not done so, I recommend reading (and reflecting) on the late Teilhard de Chardin’s book, The Phenomenon of Man. I do so because it is at the heart of my Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) meditations about The Christ Principle. My thoughts… Continue Reading “THE PHENOMENON OF MAN: Background for The Christ Principle as Intelligent Progression.”
CHAPTER 4: DISTRACTIONS AND BAD THOUGHTS DURING CONTEMPLATION
Posted on May 20, 2019, by https://thecenterforcontemplativepractice.org This might seem like an odd topic for Lectio Divina, but I assure you, it is authentic, embarrassingly honest. It is natural because none of us practice prayer and hopefully contemplation without distractions and trying to avoid evil thoughts.… Continue Reading “CHAPTER 4: DISTRACTIONS AND BAD THOUGHTS DURING CONTEMPLATION”
Leonardo DaVinci Drawing of Life
To be fully human ourselves, we must make sure everyone has a chance to be Pro-Choice. We are the sum of our choices.
CONVERSIO MORAE: Ten habits of highly successful people who move deeper into Christ Jesus.
One of the great lessons I have taken away from being exposed to Cistercian spirituality is the sheer simplicity of allowing God to shine on your behavior. This life-giving energy replenishes Faith with grace and conversio morae, growing more like Christ and less like… Continue Reading “CONVERSIO MORAE: Ten habits of highly successful people who move deeper into Christ Jesus.”
THE HUMAN RAMIFICATIONS OF VISIBILITY AND INVISIBILITY
“Why does human life find itself on a planet just far away from the Sun not to burn up, with just the correct mixtures of gases to exist, with just the correct protection from radiation not to be torched?” Added to that seeming statistical… Continue Reading “THE HUMAN RAMIFICATIONS OF VISIBILITY AND INVISIBILITY”
THREE BATTLES YOU MUST FIGHT TO WIN
In my latest Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5), I was struck by the notion of how difficult it is to live in the world and yet also be a citizen and adopted son in the Kingdom of Heaven. This dual citizenship causes anxiety sometimes and… Continue Reading “THREE BATTLES YOU MUST FIGHT TO WIN”
FERTILIZER FOR FAITH: The God of Second Chances
You know the parable of the good seed falling on good ground. There are three fertilizers that Christ told us to use to keep the soil of our Faith from drying up and becoming sterile. It is no accident that God is depicted as… Continue Reading “FERTILIZER FOR FAITH: The God of Second Chances”
MAKE A PRIVATE RETREAT WITH THE SOUL OF THE APOSTOLATE: Ten Aides to Mental Prayer
I can remember reading The Soul of the Apostolate in College. This is the spiritual classic by DOM JEAN-BAPTIST CHAUTARD, O.C.S.O. (Abbot of Notre Dame de Sept Fons). This morning, the Holy Spirit tickled my neurons to bring up my previous encounters with this… Continue Reading “MAKE A PRIVATE RETREAT WITH THE SOUL OF THE APOSTOLATE: Ten Aides to Mental Prayer”
MAKE A CONTEMPLATIVE RETREAT IN THE SILENCE OF YOUR HEART
I made this contemplative retreat recently and found it to be life-changing and the most inspiring thoughts that I am still processing to assimilate into my personal spiritual worldview. I offer to share this with you, but be forewarned, it is not for the… Continue Reading “MAKE A CONTEMPLATIVE RETREAT IN THE SILENCE OF YOUR HEART”
THE LAST BLOG I EVER WRITE
The title suggests that the blog you now read is the last one I will ever write. I don’t mean that. My Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) meditation is “If you could write one short paragraph, summing up everything you have learned about the purpose… Continue Reading “THE LAST BLOG I EVER WRITE”
THE DIVINE EQUATION: Assumptions make us who we are as humans
To wander through the high grass of the English language is to walk through paths that are sometimes strewn with weeds among the wildflowers. The communication problem becomes one of learning to delve into the assumptions underlying the words we use. For example, to… Continue Reading “THE DIVINE EQUATION: Assumptions make us who we are as humans”
LITURGY OF THE HOURS: Office of the Dead
Would you join me in praying the Office of the Dead for my friend, Father Carl Roos, who died on April 3rd in Indianapolis, Indiana? We can also include any other souls of the Faithful Departed. May they rest in the peace of Christ.… Continue Reading “LITURGY OF THE HOURS: Office of the Dead”
WHERE DOES GOOD OR EVIL ORIGINATE?
This topic would not be the conversation starter around any dinner in my experience of eating, but it is critical to what it means to be a human. REFLECTIONS ON WHY WE HAVE THE CHOICE OF GOOD OR EVIL Does good or evil originate… Continue Reading “WHERE DOES GOOD OR EVIL ORIGINATE?”
CHAPTER 4: I USED TO LOOK DOWN ON THE BAPTIST CHURCH
I USED TO LOOK DOWN AT THE BAPTISTS We all are guilty. When we hear something, we process it according to our first impressions. As the saying goes, you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. Perhaps this is because the… Continue Reading “CHAPTER 4: I USED TO LOOK DOWN ON THE BAPTIST CHURCH”
ARE YOU FULL OF HATRED?
I know that I am. Being full of hatred, depending on your assumptions, means different things to different readers (or writers). Here are some reflections on hatred and some contexts in which they might be good or evil. Once, when I was thinking about… Continue Reading “ARE YOU FULL OF HATRED?”
CONVERSIO MORAE: The habit of moving from my false self to my true self. With God’s energy, there is always deeper.
During the Lenten season, particular emphasis is on how to move from my false self to my true self. The book, The Cistercian Way, written by the late Dom Andre Louf, O.S.C.O., is one that I continue to read, again and again, to recreate… Continue Reading “CONVERSIO MORAE: The habit of moving from my false self to my true self. With God’s energy, there is always deeper.”
ARE YOU HALF A CATHOLIC?
My Lectio Divina meditation (Philippians 2:5) took me to ask about my being faithful to what Christ taught about loving others as Christ loved us. Read the whole text about love with its fantastic approach to Christ being real inside you. I offer it… Continue Reading “ARE YOU HALF A CATHOLIC?”
A PUZZLE MORE COMPLEX THAN SUDOKU: CAN YOU SOLVE THE DIVINE EQUATION?
Actually, there is no solution to the Divine Equation as much as it is a key to living your humanity in such a way that you can see reality and thus fulfill the next step in the evolution of the species. In seeing reality… Continue Reading “A PUZZLE MORE COMPLEX THAN SUDOKU: CAN YOU SOLVE THE DIVINE EQUATION?”
LENT: A time to die
Taking up your cross each day to follow Christ is a preposterous idea to those who only live in two universes, the physical one which is our base, and the mental one which gives us the tools of reason and free choice to discover… Continue Reading “LENT: A time to die”
WHAT IS THE MOST POWERFUL ENERGY IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE?
This might seem like an innocuous topic for contemplative practice but stick with me. The world is obsessed with power, be it physical power, personal power, military prowess, such as we witness in the takeover of Ukraine, or political power (the one I detest… Continue Reading “WHAT IS THE MOST POWERFUL ENERGY IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE?”
IT’S ALL A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE: What is hidden is most real.
When entering the realm of the heart from the realm of the mind, Phil 2:5 taught me to have perspective. I thought of humility and how much Christ had to become one of us, how strange it must have been to be God one… Continue Reading “IT’S ALL A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE: What is hidden is most real.”
THE CHRIST PRINCIPLE: We are what we choose.
Once, a young man wanted to know the one question, that, if you asked it, all others depended upon it. He set out to find that one question, one that kept him up at night, not with worry but with curiosity. He went to… Continue Reading “THE CHRIST PRINCIPLE: We are what we choose.”
SIC TRANSEAT GLORIA MUNDI
Thus passes the glory of the world. What a profound saying as the whole world seems destined for hatred and power-grabbing. My thoughts in a Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) had to do with what doesn’t pass away, what is secure, what lasts forever, plus… Continue Reading “SIC TRANSEAT GLORIA MUNDI”
THE RAPE OF REASON AND FREE CHOICE
Recent events in our time have one country with considerable power and military take over another country, one who is sovereign and not provoking anyone in the name of nationalism. It is not just nor is it acceptable, yet many nation-states stand on the… Continue Reading “THE RAPE OF REASON AND FREE CHOICE”
THE CORRUPTION OF THE SPIRIT–Part II
In my last few years of being a Lay Cistercian, I have completely changed my viewpoint about being the center of my world, but not in the way you might expect. I have been tutored to avoid being self-centered and selfish all of my… Continue Reading “THE CORRUPTION OF THE SPIRIT–Part II”
LAY CISTERCIAN CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICES: Custos Oculi
One of the first things monks and nuns, particularly those cloistered, do is to learn custody of the eyes. Here are some readings for you that I, myself, did, and which I share with you. During this time of Lent, when we recognize that… Continue Reading “LAY CISTERCIAN CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICES: Custos Oculi”
THE CORRUPTIBILITY OF THE SPIRIT: The effects on me as I live in a universe that is incorruptible, but I am corruptible.
How is it possible for the Spirit to be corruptible if God is incorruptible? It isn’t. What is possible is, once I am baptized, I am corruptible in my resolve to keep myself centered on The Christ Principle. I am continuing my reflections on… Continue Reading “THE CORRUPTIBILITY OF THE SPIRIT: The effects on me as I live in a universe that is incorruptible, but I am corruptible.”
THE DIVINE EQUATION: THE CORRUPTION OF EVERYDAY LIVING
The focus of my thinking these days has been on Original Sin and how humans must live within its parameters, such as death, pain, emotions, and the ambiguity of choosing either good or bad behaviors that we think will make us satisfied. Saint Augustine… Continue Reading “THE DIVINE EQUATION: THE CORRUPTION OF EVERYDAY LIVING”
THE RULE OF THREES: THE POWER TO CHANGE UNIVERSES
You are capable of living in three realities or universes simultaneously. Think about that statement. If you are human, you automatically live in two universes. Some of us never progress to the third universe, the spiritual plane of existence. The physical universe — all… Continue Reading “THE RULE OF THREES: THE POWER TO CHANGE UNIVERSES”
THE DIVINE EQUATION: How deep is your love?
Remember the tune, “How deep is your love?” It is one of my favorite tunes from the Bee Gees. I can’t say I remember all of the words, except the refrain and the melody. This song resurrects some old thoughts from a Lectio Divina… Continue Reading “THE DIVINE EQUATION: How deep is your love?”
TEN MOST IMPORTANT MOMENTS WITH MICHAEL LAST YEAR
Like any good examination of conscience (Chapter 4 of St. Benedict’s Rule, https://christdesert.org/rule-of-st-benedict/chapter-4-the-tools-for-good-works/), it is my custom to review my life achievements and frequent faults and failings at the end of each year with the resolve to “prefer nothing to the love of Christ,” with… Continue Reading “TEN MOST IMPORTANT MOMENTS WITH MICHAEL LAST YEAR”
THE TABLE OF THE LORD: Being a penitent Lay Cistercian
If you wish to love Christ as He loved us, you must be a penitential person. How you that depends on your capacitas dei (capacity for God) and listening with the ear of your heart (St. Benedict in the Prologue to the Rule). This… Continue Reading “THE TABLE OF THE LORD: Being a penitent Lay Cistercian”
THE MARTYRDOM OF THE ORDINARY
Nota Bene: This blog is lengthy. As the Feast of the Nativity fast approaches, the thought comes to mind in Advent about how each one of us should be grateful for the fact that God became one of us because of love and to… Continue Reading “THE MARTYRDOM OF THE ORDINARY”
THE TABLE OF THE LORD
Being a Lay Cistercian is one of not only discovering what it means to be Cistercian and a Layperson, but also how that openness to the heart of Christ transforms me into something I was not before. If I am a Table of the… Continue Reading “THE TABLE OF THE LORD”
UP, READY TO FIRE!
Yesterday was Veterans’ Day. I attended the Eucharist to pray for all those I know and don’t know and their families. That brought back some memories. In 1979, I was awarded The Chaplain of the Year by the Reserve Officers’ Association. I had to… Continue Reading “UP, READY TO FIRE!”
THE CHRIST PRINCIPLE: The Center
In its purest form, Lectio is a movement from just repeating one phrase in Holy Scriptures repeatedly before moving to the next sentence. Lectio has never been an end in itself, although beginners will try to move through each of the four steps of… Continue Reading “THE CHRIST PRINCIPLE: The Center”
PROFOUND LISTENING: Conditions for listening to the Holy Spirit.
Several years ago, I tried to bake one batch of biscuits to fix biscuits and gravy for my anniversary. “Tried” is the operable word here because I found out baking is not a skill that I have yet acquired, much less mastered. If I… Continue Reading “PROFOUND LISTENING: Conditions for listening to the Holy Spirit.”
TEN SURE WAYS TO LOSE YOUR FAITH
“Faith,” as a topic has always been a terrible teaser to me. Faith is the substance of what I believe, and yet, it is a Mystery of Faith; one has eluded me at the same time I find myself moving towards some semblance of… Continue Reading “TEN SURE WAYS TO LOSE YOUR FAITH”
THOUGHTS WHILE FREEZING ON AN ICEBERG
Lectio Divina has taken me to many alarming places, not the least of which has just been an iceberg. It happened this morning at 2:01 a.m. In this mini-Lectio adventure, the Holy Spirit invited me to sit on an iceberg and then just left… Continue Reading “THOUGHTS WHILE FREEZING ON AN ICEBERG”
FIFTEEN WAYS THE DEVIL CAN SEDUCE YOU AND YOU WON’T EVEN SEE IT COMING
If you hold that we are in a spiritual battle with the forces of Evil played out on the playground of the seventy or eighty years we each live, then it is good to know your enemy. With Baptism, we have the energy (from… Continue Reading “FIFTEEN WAYS THE DEVIL CAN SEDUCE YOU AND YOU WON’T EVEN SEE IT COMING”
SYNCHRONICITY WITH GOD
As the accumulated experiences bombard my heart with knowledge, love, and service (energy), more and more, I find topics pop out from my Lectio Divina encounter with the Holy Spirit, ones that were latent and dormant in the synaptic recesses of my brain. Synchronicity… Continue Reading “SYNCHRONICITY WITH GOD”
AUTHORS OF GREAT WISDOM
One of the great delights of my later years has to do with writing down what the Holy Spirit tells me. Again, I don’t speak for the Holy Spirit, but hopefully, the Holy Spirit speaks to me if I am humble enough. So far,… Continue Reading “AUTHORS OF GREAT WISDOM”
PILGRIMAGE TO THE HEART OF CHRIST
We all have taken a trip somewhere, even if it is just to go to Trader Joe’s and buy some delicious root beer drink. Not all trips or vacations are pilgrimages. Muslims celebrate their faith in pilgrimage by visiting Mecca. Catholics pilgrimage to the… Continue Reading “PILGRIMAGE TO THE HEART OF CHRIST”
WHAT IS HELL LIKE, RIGHT NOW?
Hell is not the opposite of Heaven, but rather the absence of it. If that is so, and the kingdom of heaven is right now for us to absorb into our human nature, then would it not be true that hell is also right… Continue Reading “WHAT IS HELL LIKE, RIGHT NOW?”
the assumption of mary
Normally, I would give you some thoughts about a subject from my Lectio Divina. No one has ever accused me of being normal, so I will just share with you the magnificent homily from Bishop Barron on Mary. How biblical. These insights have caused… Continue Reading “the assumption of mary”
WHEN LOVE HURTS
As I wabble down the ever shorter path to my next portal in life, passing from life to death, I become more aware of how the Scriptures are pertinent to who I am now and how the words of Scripture feel as well say… Continue Reading “WHEN LOVE HURTS”
PAINTING WITH THE BRUSH OF CHRIST
St. Benedict teaches his monks that the monastery is a School of Charity or Love where we can learn how to love others as Christ loved us. It takes a lifetime to master the Art of Contemplative Practice. In one of my Lectio Divina… Continue Reading “PAINTING WITH THE BRUSH OF CHRIST”
LIFTING THE HEART AND MIND TO GOD USING ARCHITECTURE AND GREGORIAN CHANT
One characteristic of love is to want to share what is critical with those whom you value most. I wanted to share an aspect of prayer that is part of our Benedictine/Cistercian/Carthusian heritage. I came across this YouTube of a Cistercian monastery, one which… Continue Reading “LIFTING THE HEART AND MIND TO GOD USING ARCHITECTURE AND GREGORIAN CHANT”
the three principles of existence
I was never very good at academics in school, having the curse to have a slow mind that seems to dwell on how things fit together rather than their composition. I seem to gravitate toward the bigger picture. The problem is that the bigger… Continue Reading “the three principles of existence”
OBEDIENCE BY RELINQUISHING MY WILL TO A POWER OUTSIDE MYSELF: THE GREATEST OBSTACLE TO SPIRITUAL RESONANCE
My last couple of Lectio Divina’s has centered on how my Lectio (Philippians 2:5) influences resonance. I don’t take credit for this way out of thoughts as they apply to Holy Scripture. They just come, and I take them down for you to decipher.… Continue Reading “OBEDIENCE BY RELINQUISHING MY WILL TO A POWER OUTSIDE MYSELF: THE GREATEST OBSTACLE TO SPIRITUAL RESONANCE”
THE DIVINE EQUATION: HOW AN END-USER USES THE FORMULA FOR FOREVER TO GROW FROM SELF TO GOD
I must take this opportunity to remind you once again that these ideas are just the reflections of a broken-down, old temple of the Holy Spirit trying to make sense out of the physical universe, the mental universe, and also the spiritual universe. The… Continue Reading “THE DIVINE EQUATION: HOW AN END-USER USES THE FORMULA FOR FOREVER TO GROW FROM SELF TO GOD”
THE DIVINE EQUATION: THE FORMULA FOR FOREVER
When speaking of anything that has to do with God, humans are at a disadvantage. Our human nature (being), sentient though it is, is not even in the same ballpark as divine nature. The gulf is so great that human intelligence can only know… Continue Reading “THE DIVINE EQUATION: THE FORMULA FOR FOREVER”
THE DIVINE EQUATION: Quidquid recIpitur ad modum recipientis recipitur.
This last week, a friend of mine wrote me a Linkedin message commenting on my notion of Original Sin in my blog, “Whatever happened to Original Sin.” He said, ” The notion of Original is as much a fairy tale as the Tooth Fairy.”… Continue Reading “THE DIVINE EQUATION: Quidquid recIpitur ad modum recipientis recipitur.”
THE BEST COMMENTARY ON OUR SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE U.S.
I have found that the commentary of the late Rev. Billy Graham and also deceased Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen on the subject of why our society is so off center to be the most accurate. Here is what Archbishop Sheen has to say about… Continue Reading “THE BEST COMMENTARY ON OUR SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE U.S.”
THE DIVINE EQUATION: MEASURING REALITY IN THREE UNIVERSES
If you choose to recognize my idea about one reality having three separate universes (Physical, Mental, and Spiritual), then each one has its own characteristics and measurements to describe (not define) reality. The Rule of Threes, as I call this way for me to… Continue Reading “THE DIVINE EQUATION: MEASURING REALITY IN THREE UNIVERSES”
THE DIVINE EQUATION: THE MATHEMATICS OF BEING
In my quest to find out how all reality fits together, I have had some help to give me additional assumptions that get me closer to solving the Mystery of Faith. Some of these ideas I have written down for you to try to… Continue Reading “THE DIVINE EQUATION: THE MATHEMATICS OF BEING”
THE DIVINE EQUATION: CAN YOU SOLVE IT?
Here is an opportunity to solve the Divine Equation. All humans, from Adam and Eve onward must solve the Divine Equation correctly to be admitted into the next phase of their human evolution (from non-life to life; from life to animality; from animality to… Continue Reading “THE DIVINE EQUATION: CAN YOU SOLVE IT?”
THE DIVINE EQUATION: OUR NEED FOR INTIMACY
Intimacy is one of those topics we don’t like to talk about unless it is in the context of darkened room with the person you trust the most in life, and even then, just with hushed tones and deflections of what you really mean.… Continue Reading “THE DIVINE EQUATION: OUR NEED FOR INTIMACY”
THE DIVINE EQUATION
My Lectio Divina meditations usually group up into a unified theme, eventually. Right now, what comes to my mind is about cosmic influences of the Christ Principle, certainly a macro approach to reality. Let me share what I mean by that. I have been… Continue Reading “THE DIVINE EQUATION”
EIGHT THOUGHTS ABOUT GOD TAKING ON HUMAN NATURE
I admit that this Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) idea is as far out as the edge of time, but so is the Holy Spirit. Imagine how Jesus felt when, as the Son of God the Father, he knew all that is but could not… Continue Reading “EIGHT THOUGHTS ABOUT GOD TAKING ON HUMAN NATURE”
STARTING OVER
When thinking about my Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) subject, the concept of starting over came up. Usually, I just slough it off as if it were an unrelated piece of the puzzle and I didn’t know where it fit. This time, I thought of… Continue Reading “STARTING OVER”
THE EFFECTS OF ORIGINAL SIN ON MY CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE
One of those lessons I have had to learn over and over is struggling against my human nature (the world) when I attempt to attain mastery over my struggles to be an adopted son of the Father. I wish is was not a struggle… Continue Reading “THE EFFECTS OF ORIGINAL SIN ON MY CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE”
PERUSING THE OBITUARIES
Old people do weird things. At least in my case, I like to look at the obituaries on my St. Meinrad Alumni website. http://www.saintmeinrad.edu It beats watching the plastic flowers grow in my office. This may be morbid, but I like to look up… Continue Reading “PERUSING THE OBITUARIES”
MOMENTS WITH ST. MICHAEL
THE BACKSTORY Although it has been over two years ago, I still remember it vividly as though it were yesterday. A group of us gathered together to say Office of Readings, Morning Prayer, Rosary, then then Eucharist at 9:00 a.m. We came together as… Continue Reading “MOMENTS WITH ST. MICHAEL”
CREEPING TOWARDS THE PAROUSIA
Three things we humans are conditioned to do because of Original Sin are: expect immediate results; become restless and anancy when we are not doing something, anything to fill up dead time; become compulsive about filling in the hole in our lives. I have… Continue Reading “CREEPING TOWARDS THE PAROUSIA”
THE LITANY OF REDEMPTION
On this Good Friday, my reflections wander through the great love Christ had for us to lay down his life for us, we who can’t even keep watch with him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Humans, wounded by Original Sin, are redeemed by God… Continue Reading “THE LITANY OF REDEMPTION”
THE JOY IN THE RESURRECTION
May the Peace of Christ be with you. This is not the peace that the world gives but the presence of Christ’s love in us and through us to our unique world. Here are a few of my reflections as a result of my… Continue Reading “THE JOY IN THE RESURRECTION”
THE HERESY OF THE INDIVIDUAL
Heresies are not something I write about very often, in fact, I would not be writing about this topic at all except that it presented itself to be at 2:30 a.m. this morning as part of my Lectio Divina. My Lectio Divina has always… Continue Reading “THE HERESY OF THE INDIVIDUAL”
LENTEN CONVERSION: IS YOUR JESUS PARANOID?
During this intense time of introspection before the celebration of our delivery from death to life with Christ, it is important to ask the question, What does your Jesus look like? I have never seen the face of Jesus, nor have I seen the… Continue Reading “LENTEN CONVERSION: IS YOUR JESUS PARANOID?”
LENTEN CONVERSION: Beware of the default of original sin
Original sin affects everything we do as a human. Baptism takes away Original Sin, the Sin of the World, but we still must live out the consequences of living in a condition where everything has a beginning and an end. I reflected on this… Continue Reading “LENTEN CONVERSION: Beware of the default of original sin”
HERE ARE TEN TEMPTATIONS FROM SATAN I BET YOU NEVER SAW COMING.
The Devil loves to seduce humans into going against God, then laughs heartily at the offender as being so gullible and weak that he missed out on the purpose of life. I thought about how the Devil might dissuade me from having in me… Continue Reading “HERE ARE TEN TEMPTATIONS FROM SATAN I BET YOU NEVER SAW COMING.”
A LAY CISTERCIAN REFLECTS ON: MAKING AN EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE BEFORE RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Jesus left us several stories and activities that we should do to make him present to us. Clearly, Eucharist, the Real Presence of Christ, the fulfilment of the Last Supper, is paramount among ways to seek forgiveness and ask for God’s mercy. Additional ways… Continue Reading “A LAY CISTERCIAN REFLECTS ON: MAKING AN EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE BEFORE RECEIVING THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION”
LENTEN CONVERSION: THE PLACE WE CALL HELL IS LIKE…
What is hell like? This is not a topic that raises to the level that I would think about but it did come up in this week’s Lectio Divina meditation (Philippians 2:5). I have not experienced Hell because I have never been there (nor… Continue Reading “LENTEN CONVERSION: THE PLACE WE CALL HELL IS LIKE…”
LENTEN CONVERSION: WHO IS YOUR JESUS? AN END USER PAUSES TO REVIEW THE CONSEQUENCES OF BELIEVING OR NOT BELIEVING IN JESUS THE CHRIST.
In my Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) today, I wondered about who Jesus is. I think this is part of the mystery of Faith, that probing of the human heart to try to love God with all of our heart, all of our mind, and… Continue Reading “LENTEN CONVERSION: WHO IS YOUR JESUS? AN END USER PAUSES TO REVIEW THE CONSEQUENCES OF BELIEVING OR NOT BELIEVING IN JESUS THE CHRIST.”
LENTEN CONVERSION: HOW LOVELY IS YOUR DWELLING PLACE, O LORD OF HOSTS
Today in a few hours, the Lay Cistercian community of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit (Trappist) http://www.trappist.net, will meet for their monthly Zoom Gathering Day meeting. I would like to share with you some of my preparations for that meeting. In Lectio Divina… Continue Reading “LENTEN CONVERSION: HOW LOVELY IS YOUR DWELLING PLACE, O LORD OF HOSTS”
WHISPERS FROM A CAVE
One of my favorite Scripture passages is the one where God tells a frightened Elijah the Prophet to go to a cave and He will pass by. This passage has great importance for contemplative practice. We listen to God with the ear of our… Continue Reading “WHISPERS FROM A CAVE”
LENTEN CONVERSION: the most difficult choice you will ever make
The title of this blog is not my own, but the topic of Bishop Robert Barron’s YouTube Sunday sermon this week. I recommend that you subscribe to his YouTube channel. I find that my Lectio Divina meditations are informed by my latest experiences, grounded,… Continue Reading “LENTEN CONVERSION: the most difficult choice you will ever make”
LENTEN CONVERSION: jUST oNE CHANGE
Lent is a time of reassessment and change. We move from our false self, imprinted with the effects of Original Sin to being free from the hostage to death. During your time of profound reflection in Lent, here are some thoughts I had from… Continue Reading “LENTEN CONVERSION: jUST oNE CHANGE”
LENTEN CONVERSION: conversio morae
Lent is a period of reflection, a purification of all those false attitudes and ways of thinking that will keep me from realizing the importance of the Resurrection of Christ and its implications for me as I search for God each day. Lent is… Continue Reading “LENTEN CONVERSION: conversio morae”
LENTEN CONVERSION: don’t squabble over who should give
During Lent, I try to use Lectio Divina as a way to become a more penitential person, being more humble and obedient to the will of God each day. One of my Lectio meditations (not at the level of contemplation) is on the subject… Continue Reading “LENTEN CONVERSION: don’t squabble over who should give”
THE ART OF CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE
One of the concepts that help me to grow in the capacity of Christ in my heart is that of the Church. I use to think of the Church as being a body of rules and prescriptions that I had to believe in order… Continue Reading “THE ART OF CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE”
the genesis effect
The first chapters of the Book of Genesis provide the opening written statement of what it means to be human. The oral traditions handed down through centuries surely took on characteristics of their own as different cultures and diverse authors reflected on their human… Continue Reading “the genesis effect”
LAY CISTERCIAN CONTINUITY
During one of our Gathering Days of Lay Cistercians at Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Monastery (www.trappist.net), one of our members asked the question about the difficulty of keeping to a schedule to do Cistercian practices. The question also plagues me and how… Continue Reading “LAY CISTERCIAN CONTINUITY”
WHY YOUR CENTER IS CENTRAL TO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE
Everyone has a center of their life. It is that one principle, that one value upon which all others find their support. Granted that your center as a twenty-year-old may not be the one you have when you are sixty, but you will have… Continue Reading “WHY YOUR CENTER IS CENTRAL TO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE”
FACING FIVE EITHER/OR DILEMMAS
Yogi Berra’s supposed saying, “If you come to a fork in the road, take it,” is witty but perhaps a wise description of choices we all must make if we try to be contemplative in our practice. We live in the temporal time of… Continue Reading “FACING FIVE EITHER/OR DILEMMAS”
IF I WERE THE DEVIL
What would you do to the current political debacle if you were the Devil? I would convince the United States that political parties are a new religion, that hatred of personality replaces public policy, that revenge and calumny substitutes for civility and cooperation, that… Continue Reading “IF I WERE THE DEVIL”
A LAY CISTERCIAN SEEKS GOD ONE DAY AT A TIME
Hello once more. As I seek God every day as I am and where I am, I came across these resources that you might find of interest. I keep asking myself the increasingly complex question of “How does all of this fit together?” My… Continue Reading “A LAY CISTERCIAN SEEKS GOD ONE DAY AT A TIME”
Four BRICK WALLS THAT CHALLENGE MY SEEKING GOD
In my most recent Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5), I thought about the barriers that keep me from having in me the mind of Christ Jesus. As I begin to be more self-aware of the spiritual universe around me, new revelations seem to pop up… Continue Reading “Four BRICK WALLS THAT CHALLENGE MY SEEKING GOD”
THE PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY OF LENT
Lent is a season of preparation and reflection. We are asked, as Church Universal, to prepare our minds and hearts for the Christ Principle. Before each momentous event in the life of Christ, we must prepare and reflect on how we have become what… Continue Reading “THE PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY OF LENT”
LENTEN PENANCE: A LAY CISTERCIAN REFLECTS ON CAPACITAS DEI, DENYING ONESELF TO MAKE ROOM FOR CHRIST EACH DAY
If you hear his voice, says the Psalms, harden not your hearts. Lent is upon us once again. It pops up yearly as we trudge down that path of choices we call life. As described in this clip of Harry Potter and the… Continue Reading “LENTEN PENANCE: A LAY CISTERCIAN REFLECTS ON CAPACITAS DEI, DENYING ONESELF TO MAKE ROOM FOR CHRIST EACH DAY”
WHAT WAS JESUS’ I.Q.?
My latest Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) had several tangential directions from the Holy Spirit. I can’t keep up with the profusion of energy that overshadows me. Let me give you a tiny example. My meditations were about God emptying himself (kenosis) of being God… Continue Reading “WHAT WAS JESUS’ I.Q.?”
TEN NEW IDEAS I LEARNED ABOUT HEAVEN FROM THE EDGE OF TIME
Scripture is the bedrock of what we know about the mission of Christ. It is also written, says St. John in 20:30-31, to show us the way, the truth, and the life. Conclusion.”*30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of [his] disciples… Continue Reading “TEN NEW IDEAS I LEARNED ABOUT HEAVEN FROM THE EDGE OF TIME”
MY LECTIO DIVINA SCARED ME
Normally, I do Lectio Divina at about 2:30 a.m. as part of my old man bathroom ritual. It helps get me back to sleep. There was nothing normal about the Lectio Divina today. I was frightened and what frightened me might not be what… Continue Reading “MY LECTIO DIVINA SCARED ME”
REFLECTIONS ON WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS YOUR RELIGION
The past week’s events have left me in shock over the lack of respect people have for our Presidential electoral process, our Nation’s Capitol, and the behaviors displayed by any and all political parties. Long ago, I lost my respect for the political processes… Continue Reading “REFLECTIONS ON WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS YOUR RELIGION”
THE HABIT OF CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE
In my practice of trying to have Christ Jesus’s mind each day (Philippians 1:5), I have noticed that I do best when I establish some sort of habit or schedule to help me focus. I don’t want to fall into the trap of establishing… Continue Reading “THE HABIT OF CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE”
WONDER IF…
The notion of wonder is exciting to me as I do my Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5). My mind has become my friend, almost another person inside me prompting me to visit places I could not do physically. I use my mind every morning at… Continue Reading “WONDER IF…”
WHAT DOES YOUR SPIRITUAL CLOSET LOOK LIKE?
You have heard and maybe even seen television shows about hoarding. It is a compulsion not to throw away anything because of a perceived or unconscious need you will need later on. If left unchecked, the house becomes cluttered sometimes to the point of… Continue Reading “WHAT DOES YOUR SPIRITUAL CLOSET LOOK LIKE?”
THE MATHEMATICS OF BEING
I can’t think of a more esoteric and theoretical topic than the one above, The Mathematics of Being. Not being a person with a great comprehension of either mathematics or being, I make the perfect person who can speculate on what I have come… Continue Reading “THE MATHEMATICS OF BEING”
MAKING ALL THINGS NEW
If Christmas is about the gift of God to us in Christ Jesus, then New Year is about the ability to see what is new, not with the eyes of the world (that only comes on New Year’s day), but with the eyes of… Continue Reading “MAKING ALL THINGS NEW”
THE FIVE GIFTS CHRIST GAVE ME ON MY BIRTHDAY.
This morning, about 2:46 a.m., I began my meditation on my one and only Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5). I thought about what might be awaiting me as an adopted son or daughter of the Father. Lest I become too seduced with pride (like Adam… Continue Reading “THE FIVE GIFTS CHRIST GAVE ME ON MY BIRTHDAY.”
I DIDN’T SEE THAT ONE COMING
Some situations in my life blindside me and lead me to ask “I didn’t see that one coming.” This Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) was like that. There are just lots of images bombarding my conscious mind, all different, some quite bizarre. It is like… Continue Reading “I DIDN’T SEE THAT ONE COMING”
LITURGY OF THE HOURS FOR BEGINNERS (like myself)
Liturgy of the Hours is a cornerstone Cistercian practice that I perform each day to place me in the presence of Christ. I don’t say prayers to become holy, rather I am holy because these prayers allow me to open my heart to Christ.… Continue Reading “LITURGY OF THE HOURS FOR BEGINNERS (like myself)”
GOD IS PURE ENERGY
My friends: Well, here we are at the end of the calendar year, which has always been the beginning when we seek God as we move through our lives each day. Each day is a lifetime of discovery and wonder. Tomorrow is the day we… Continue Reading “GOD IS PURE ENERGY”
THE ADVENT OF GOD
My family, friends, colleagues, and fellow pilgrims on the road to Forever. As my Advent penance, I am giving up giving gifts at Christmas. Our house is doing without any gifts except each other. (I say that because we spread our gifting out throughout the… Continue Reading “THE ADVENT OF GOD”
FEELING JESUS IN SCRIPTURE
As I begin to peel off the layers of my own sloth, greed, gluttony, lust, jealousy, vengeance, and hatred, to name a few vices, only to have them return at the beginning of the next day, I am reminded that everything in the world… Continue Reading “FEELING JESUS IN SCRIPTURE”
MORE IS BETTER, OR IS IT?
I met a man, quite similar in appearance and temperament to me, who keeps trying to pray as much as possible in the hopes of becoming more like Christ and less like himself. The more he prays, he thought, the holier he would become… Continue Reading “MORE IS BETTER, OR IS IT?”
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY TO THE HOLY SPIRIT WHEN YOU ARE SITTING ON THE EDGE OF YOUR BED AT 6:14 A.M. FOLLOWING YOUR MORNING OFFERING PRAYER.
This is a long title, don’t you agree? This morning at 6:14 a.m. (I got to sleep in late.), I found myself, as I always do in the a.m., sitting on the edge of my bed, reciting my daily morning offering, and thinking about… Continue Reading “BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY TO THE HOLY SPIRIT WHEN YOU ARE SITTING ON THE EDGE OF YOUR BED AT 6:14 A.M. FOLLOWING YOUR MORNING OFFERING PRAYER.”
HOW GOOD ARE YOU AT FILLING UP HOLES?
FILLING IN THE HOLES In contemplative prayer, one characteristic is that you must deliberately slow down. Another reaction that I have found is in thinking that I have to do something with the time I meditate or it is not productive, I must fill… Continue Reading “HOW GOOD ARE YOU AT FILLING UP HOLES?”
THE ART OF CONTEMLATIVE PRACTICE
For some time now, I have noticed myself under the influence of the Holy Spirit. I know that because I have begun to recognize the Holy Spirit speaking to me through others. I have given up about approaching the Spirit with my requests. Now,… Continue Reading “THE ART OF CONTEMLATIVE PRACTICE”
QUESTIONS IN SEARCH OF AN ANSWER
MESSAGES FROM THE EDGE OF TIME 1. If Heaven is the reason why we are here on earth, why is it we don’t do more to prepare ourselves to live there? 2. It is better for you to have the perspective that all humans… Continue Reading “QUESTIONS IN SEARCH OF AN ANSWER”
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT?
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT? The Church is the visible manifestation of God whom we cannot see. The Church, or gathering of believers, is the living Body of Christ on earth, but also those living in heaven, and also those awaiting purification. Many humans only… Continue Reading “WHOSE CHURCH IS IT?”
WAKING THE SPIRIT
As the saying goes, “Be careful what you wish for, you may get it.” Contemplation is all about the resignation of self to let the Holy Spirit overshadow you. In reality, the term, “waking the Spirit” is a misnomer, an attempt by human words… Continue Reading “WAKING THE SPIRIT”
poetry in the silence and stillness of winter
As I usually do each morning, and today is no exception, I sit down to my computer, recite my Lectio phrase to begin my practice of contemplation, “have in you the mind of Christ Jesus,” then wait. Whatever comes my way, I try to… Continue Reading “poetry in the silence and stillness of winter”
HOW TO PLAY IN GOD’S PLAYGROUND
HOW TO ORGANIZE AND FOCUS ON THE LIFE OF CHRIST SEEKING GOD EACH DAY IN ALL THAT COMES MY WAY The following pages are samples of the horarium (hourly agenda) and Internet sites that I use to organize my day as a Lay Cistercian.… Continue Reading “HOW TO PLAY IN GOD’S PLAYGROUND”
MONASTERY AND LAY CISTERCIAN PONDERINGS
I share with you what I have received via the Monastery of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit, Conyers, Georgia, and also from the Lay Cistercians (with permission). Blessings on you this day. Remember, peace is not the absence of conflict but rather the… Continue Reading “MONASTERY AND LAY CISTERCIAN PONDERINGS”
WHICH POLITICAL PARTY DO YOU TRUST THE MOST?
Granted that both political parties are not beacons of truth and both tell their share of obfuscations, in this last week before elections, I am asking these pointed questions to find out where my mind and heart are. I do not presume to tell… Continue Reading “WHICH POLITICAL PARTY DO YOU TRUST THE MOST?”
YOU MUST SEE THIS WEBSITE
I share my joy with you about a website that I discovered by Father Luke Dysinger, O.S.B. with very rich contemporary subjects and also patristic and other primary sources. You can read the actual texts of the ecumenical councils, plus other great writers. Father… Continue Reading “YOU MUST SEE THIS WEBSITE”
make a virtual retreat at Our lady of the Holy spirit monastery
Think you are all alone and cut off from your Church as you ponder the inscrutable happenings of the COVID 19 virus? There are two ways to look at Church: one is a place where you go to pray, and the second one is… Continue Reading “make a virtual retreat at Our lady of the Holy spirit monastery”
THREE SOURCES OF INSPIRATION
In my quest to seek God daily wherever I am and however I am, my Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) jangled my roots with the thought that I m sometimes caught up with the externals of Cistercian practices and charisms (making sure that I pray… Continue Reading “THREE SOURCES OF INSPIRATION”
ON THE ENDURING INFLUENCE OF AIDAN KAVANAUGH, O.S.B.
To a great extent, all of us are, in large part, the result of people we have bumped into during our solitary sojourn down whatever paths life has taken us. People and sometimes events have shaped who we have become and that process continues… Continue Reading “ON THE ENDURING INFLUENCE OF AIDAN KAVANAUGH, O.S.B.”
WHY IS THAT?
I have used the question WHY more in these last five years than in all of my previous time on earth. Why is that? Here are some of my reflections from my Lectio Divina meditations on the Mystery of Faith. Perhaps the WHY question… Continue Reading “WHY IS THAT?”
god’s hall of fame
Now that football has returned to the television, many commentators give very interesting breakdowns of the game so that neophytes like me can understand the intricacies of the strategy. Just playing the professional game is an accomplishment, but a few rise above this to… Continue Reading “god’s hall of fame”
TENACITY AND SINGLEMINDEDNESS
These two words are ones which I have never used together, but yet are quite logical when describing the events in the life of Father Vincent de Paul Merle, O.S.C.O., Trappist missionary to Nova Scotia in the early 1800s. You can read all about… Continue Reading “TENACITY AND SINGLEMINDEDNESS”
SILENCE AND SOLITUDE: iT MAY NOT BE WHAT YOU THINK
In one of my Lectio Divina meditations (Philippians 2:5), the thought presented itself to me that there was a certain depth of meaning which I heretofor had not noticed about silence and solitude. SILENCE – If I use my three universe template to look… Continue Reading “SILENCE AND SOLITUDE: iT MAY NOT BE WHAT YOU THINK”
MUSIC TO LISTEN TO WHEN SITTING ON A PARK BENCH IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER LONGING FOR CHRIST
I love music that elevates and transforms me from self to God. All music does not do that for me. I share what I have found that inspires my contemplative soul. Agnus Dei by Samuel Barber. One such piece is Samuel Barber’s Adagio for… Continue Reading “MUSIC TO LISTEN TO WHEN SITTING ON A PARK BENCH IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER LONGING FOR CHRIST”
What have you learned?
I am counting on God asking me two questions when I approach the Throne of the Lamb for my particular judgement. Matthew 25 gives all of us pause to stop and reflect on these questions. Here are my two: What did you learn? Notice… Continue Reading “What have you learned?”
waiting for the master
This is a story I wrote many, many blogs ago but I think it needs repeating. WAITING FOR THE MASTERImagine yourself seated on a park bench in the dead ofwinter. Jesus has told you that He will be passing by thebench sometime soon. You… Continue Reading “waiting for the master”
HATERS ANONYMOUS
Almost everyone has heard of Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12 Step Plan. I thought about what is going on in our country now and how all of us could use the 12 Step Plan that Christ gave us to quell the hatred of others… Continue Reading “HATERS ANONYMOUS”
POWER AND GLORY
Who is the most powerful person you know? My answer is, my wife! To make it more specific, “What is the most powerful object in the universe?” I had to look it up on Google Search. Turns out that there is a Youtube video… Continue Reading “POWER AND GLORY”
moving from self to god…slowly but surely
Here is a blog post I made over a year ago. I had been thinking about using and applying Cistercian practices and seeking charisms. I had the thought that my monastery is not just the world, but confined to the limits I discover each… Continue Reading “moving from self to god…slowly but surely”
CHAPTER 4: rENOUNCE YOURSELF IN ORDER TO FOLLOW CHRIST
You would think that a person who has tried to follow the teachings of The Master for all these years (80, to be exact), would have mastery over his mind and body to be able to reach a state where he did not struggle… Continue Reading “CHAPTER 4: rENOUNCE YOURSELF IN ORDER TO FOLLOW CHRIST”
I HAVE HEART PROBLEMS
In keeping with seeking God daily in everything in every way, I have an appointment today at 2:20 p.m. with my Cardiologist to check my recently installed pacemaker. This discipline is now called electrophysiology and it looks at the heart from the viewpoint of… Continue Reading “I HAVE HEART PROBLEMS”
WHAT HELPS ME RECITE THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS?
FIVE PRACTICES THAT HAVE HELPED ME COMMIT TO PRAYING THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS When I think of prayer as part of my Lay Cistercian principles (silence, solitude, work, prayer, and community), I don’t see it apart from other prayers I do (e.g. Eucharist,… Continue Reading “WHAT HELPS ME RECITE THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS?”
THE GATHERING
My Lectio Divina today (Philippians 2:5) took me to a place I had not visited before. I thought about the very early Church and how they must have had a struggle to “have in them the mind of Christ Jesus.” I thought about my… Continue Reading “THE GATHERING”
how long can you hold your spiritual breath?
HOW LONG CAN YOU HOLD YOUR SPIRITUAL BREATH? When I was young and adventuresome, I tried holding my breath for as long as possible. It was all part of my preparation to be able to swim in the deep section of Rainbow Beach in… Continue Reading “how long can you hold your spiritual breath?”
SILENCE: THE ENTRANCE TO FOREVER
Whenever I think of silence, I mean real silence, I think about going into a cave in Northern Florida. The absence of any noise is deafening. All humans relate to the reality before them through the five senses which feed the brain and direct… Continue Reading “SILENCE: THE ENTRANCE TO FOREVER”
HOW TO SEEK GOD IN THREE UNIVERSES
I woke up this morning at 2:16 a.m. for my usual bathroom break. Going back to bed, I usually do a mini-Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5). This time my focus was on how God puts all these signs and wonders in front of us and… Continue Reading “HOW TO SEEK GOD IN THREE UNIVERSES”
seeking god at the va clinic
I had an appointment at the VA Clinic in Tallahassee, Florida today. I never know what the day will bring but that doesn’t matter. I try to seek God wherever I am. I finished my business then got on the elevator to go from… Continue Reading “seeking god at the va clinic”
HOW GOD SPEAKS TO ALL OF US.
How does God speak with us? In the Old Testament, the Prophets gave us insights into what God wants of us. In the New Testament, Jesus gives us how to love others by doing what he does for us. The Holy Spirit speaks directly… Continue Reading “HOW GOD SPEAKS TO ALL OF US.”
SLOW DOWN! lISTEN TO YOUR HEART
I use photos to help in my focus and concentration as I do Lectio (Philippians 2:5.) meditation, prayer and, hopefully, contemplation. This photo has significance for me because it comes close to describing what I think contemplation might be. Contemplation is sitting on a… Continue Reading “SLOW DOWN! lISTEN TO YOUR HEART”
SHARING INTERNET SITES I USE
Every so often, I look around my house and think about all the nice but not necessary THINGS I have accumulated over the years. It seems I am a functional hoarder and not a dysfunctional one. Every so often, my wife says we should… Continue Reading “SHARING INTERNET SITES I USE”
Youtube clips that have helped me in contemplation
In my Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5), I have found that, when trying to seek God each day wherever I am and as I am, I try to look at the reality in front of me with the love of Christ in my heart and… Continue Reading “Youtube clips that have helped me in contemplation”
TEARING DOWN RATHER THAN MAKING ALL THINGS NEW
Here are some thoughts to ponder. When we tear down something rather than reform it, we have nothing to replace it with except our self. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2a2fAEQaGo Any reform based on justice without mercy is not only doomed to fail but will fail its supporters.… Continue Reading “TEARING DOWN RATHER THAN MAKING ALL THINGS NEW”
STRENGTH TRAINING FOR BECOMING MORE LIKE CHRIST
One of the ways to approach the Sacred is to follow a daily routine. Some people call it a habit. Here is a challenge. Try to do these practices for 30 days, then sit down and think about it. If you are unable to… Continue Reading “STRENGTH TRAINING FOR BECOMING MORE LIKE CHRIST”
THE MYSTERIOUS WHY QUESTION
Humans differ from other species because we have reason (some more than others) and the ability to choose good or evil (no one chooses what they think is bad for them). The problem comes when humans think something is good for them but don’t… Continue Reading “THE MYSTERIOUS WHY QUESTION”
THE SIXTY-SECOND CATHOLIC
Here are some thoughts for Dads on their secular holiday. FIVE YES’S AND ONE NO THE BEGINNING Creation began as a YES (Let it be) from God. That which is created takes on the characteristics of the person creating it. THE BEGINNING OF HUMAN… Continue Reading “THE SIXTY-SECOND CATHOLIC”
LECTIO DIVINA: ENHANCEMENTS
During my Lectio Divina, I sometimes use enhancements to my lectio, meditatio, oratio, and contemplatio. I don’t know what else to call them. Some people use a mood to create an ambiance that will provide them with the best way to use their silence… Continue Reading “LECTIO DIVINA: ENHANCEMENTS”
THE TRINITY: ARCHETYPE FOR FOREVER
When was the last time you consciously thought about the Trinity? For me, it was at 2:40 AM this morning, when I got up to use the bathroom. Usually, when I try to go back to sleep, I do a mini-Lectio Divina in order… Continue Reading “THE TRINITY: ARCHETYPE FOR FOREVER”
YOU may be ASKING THE WRONG QUESTION?
Wrong questions always lead to wrong answers. Humans differ from other species of animals because we have the ability to reason and also to choose between options of what seems reasonable to us. I have given up watching television news of any kind because… Continue Reading “YOU may be ASKING THE WRONG QUESTION?”
LESSONS AVOIDED
Everyone is upset about what is going on in society. Protestors want meaningful change. Law and Order folks want the Rule of Law and not lawlessness. Let’s not forget that there are consequences, some of which are unintended, with each choice. Here are some… Continue Reading “LESSONS AVOIDED”
EMAIL FROM JESUS
Michael: Sorry for waking you up at 9:56 pm but you did ask me to help clarify all the confusion and turmoil around you. Before I begin, St. Michael wants me to tell you that he appreciates your thinking of him in your… Continue Reading “EMAIL FROM JESUS”
10 questions about WHAT HEAVEN will BE LIKE?
This morning, more precisely at 2:34 A.M., I did one of my three or four Lectio Divina meditations, using lasting twenty minutes or more. My Lectio is always Philippians 2:5 and this morning was not an exception. At nearly 80 years of age, my… Continue Reading “10 questions about WHAT HEAVEN will BE LIKE?”
HERE IS A TEMPTATION FROM SATAN YOU MAY NOT SEE COMING
My Lectio Divina never happens in a vacuum. In the process of seeking God in my daily life, where I am and as I am, certain events impact my consciousness and I takes those experiences with me as I try to focus on my… Continue Reading “HERE IS A TEMPTATION FROM SATAN YOU MAY NOT SEE COMING”
THE HAPPINESS OF DOING NOTHING
What follows is a series of thoughts that are the result of one of my recent Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) meditations.I experienced these thoughts while sitting on a park bench in the density of winter, waiting for Christ to come and share His Real… Continue Reading “THE HAPPINESS OF DOING NOTHING”
TEN MISCONCEPTIONS PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT BEING A CATHOLIC
Recently, a rash of people have commented on some of my writing by saying “That is just your opinion.” Of course, it is who else’s opinion would it be? One of my assumptions in writing these types of reflections is that they do not… Continue Reading “TEN MISCONCEPTIONS PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT BEING A CATHOLIC”
MY new END TIME
Everything has a beginning and an end in the physical and mental universes. We don’t think about that idea much in the midst of a Covid 19 Pandemic. I only bring this up because that was the main thought of my Lectio Divina meditation… Continue Reading “MY new END TIME”
COSMIC RESONANCE: WHY JESUS IS THE MESSIAH?
My latest Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) has taken me to a place that I would never have thought possible, linking Christ as the Messiah and the fulfillment of the Old and New Testaments. The way my thinking progressed, as I sat in silence and… Continue Reading “COSMIC RESONANCE: WHY JESUS IS THE MESSIAH?”
THE CONSEQUENCES OF SEEKING GOD DAILY
Philippians 2:5 is my Lectio Divina mantra. Today, I thought about the consequences of a simple YES or NO to seeking God in daily living. YES is usually seen as an enabling word while NO is usually, but not always, blocking (e.g. NO to… Continue Reading “THE CONSEQUENCES OF SEEKING GOD DAILY”
FOCUS: AT THE NEXUS OF THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN SPIRIT AND FLESH
What follows are some reflections about one of the most difficult expressions of contemplative prayer, one that I never get rid of, one that is with me as long as I traverse the halls of silence and solitude in search of God wherever I… Continue Reading “FOCUS: AT THE NEXUS OF THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN SPIRIT AND FLESH”
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR US TO LOVE OTHERS AS CHRIST LOVES US?
THE CHRIST IMPERATIVES LISTEN TO ME, FOR I AM MEEK AND HUMBLE OF HEART. Matthew 11:28-30 Thirsty? Drink of the living waters! John 7:37. Hungry? Eat the food that gives eternal life! John 6:33-38. Bewildered? Believe in the Master! John 3:11-21. Without hope? Be… Continue Reading “WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR US TO LOVE OTHERS AS CHRIST LOVES US?”
RELAX!
What follows are my reflections on some ideas that came up during my Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5). Here are ten things you don’t need to worry about as you live out your spiritual life. The Church Universal is going to disappear and collapse. If… Continue Reading “RELAX!”
MONOS
What I am experiencing, as I move through the stages of the Coronavirus 19 effects on my personal space, my environment, my relationships, is isolation and the failure of those human structures I have built up to sustain my life on a daily basis.… Continue Reading “MONOS”
THE MARTYRDOM OF seeking god every day
When you read this title, you may find it a bit discombobulating. Isn’t martyrdom shedding your blood for Christ? Isn’t that reserved only for the Saints? What can any of this have to do with Lay Cistercian spirituality and contemplation? I found the answer… Continue Reading “THE MARTYRDOM OF seeking god every day”
WHAT I WILL PACK FOR THE TRIP TO HEAVEN: SPIRITUAL READING
In a recent Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5), the thought of how lucky we are to have Sacred Scriptures presented itself to me. You can’t make this stuff up, with so many people writing about God. One thought, in particular, stood out for me: God… Continue Reading “WHAT I WILL PACK FOR THE TRIP TO HEAVEN: SPIRITUAL READING”
wHERE ARE THOSE OLD WEDDING PICTURES NOW
When is the last time you looked at your wedding pictures, assuming that you are married? This seemingly innocuous statement contains several layers of complexity that I recently explored as I thought about my Lectio Divina center (Philippians 2:5), “have in you the mind… Continue Reading “wHERE ARE THOSE OLD WEDDING PICTURES NOW”
TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE DEVIL
While taking a break from watching movies in my downtime, due to the pandemic, I found myself looking at the titles of movies. What is astonishing is the sheer number of movies out there about demons, the devil, possession, Dracula (although that is a… Continue Reading “TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE DEVIL”
WHY CHRIST DOESN’T MAKE SENSE
Don’t be fooled by the title. I actually want to talk about the sign of contradiction, God becoming human. When I think about it, one of the reasons God did become one of us, with all our frailties and sinfulness, was to tell and… Continue Reading “WHY CHRIST DOESN’T MAKE SENSE”
WE ARE DEFINED BY OUR CHOICES.
One of the characteristics of being human is the need to belong. Another one seems to be the need to be spiritual, and why we must struggle to be spiritual, and why we, of all living beings, have the ability to reason. From the… Continue Reading “WE ARE DEFINED BY OUR CHOICES.”
I SAW AND HEARD JESUS YESTERDAY
Yesterday, at 10:15, Easter Sunday, reliving the Resurrection of Christ, I actually saw Jesus. Calm down! I am not a spiritual zealot. You can see Jesus, too, if you go to this website and click on the live stream triangle for the 10:15 Mass… Continue Reading “I SAW AND HEARD JESUS YESTERDAY”
AT THE CORE CENTER OF MY LIFE IS NOT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Before you look for the matches to burn me at the stake, think about this. This was one of my Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) during Holy Week. Consider that there are two characteristics that separate humans from all other living things; a)the ability to… Continue Reading “AT THE CORE CENTER OF MY LIFE IS NOT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH”
THE RESURRECTION ENIGMA
On a recent television show, I watched as two of the experts gave opinions about Jesus a) not existing at all or, b) being a deluded young man who fantasized about being the Messiah. In traditional arguments of the Historical Jesus group, they said… Continue Reading “THE RESURRECTION ENIGMA”
contemplative prayer as you wait out the coronavirus19
Today, my Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) was about how fortunate I am to have time to focus on Christ and taking time to meditate on various topics and look up things on the Internet to help me do that. Yes, the coronavirus is bad.… Continue Reading “contemplative prayer as you wait out the coronavirus19”
PROFOUND LISTENING
As I was trying vainly to describe contemplation to prisoners at the Wakulla Correctional Institution (Annex) near Tallahassee, Florida, I happened to use the words “profound listening.” I reflected on these words in light of the admonition of St. Benedict to his monks in… Continue Reading “PROFOUND LISTENING”
POPE FRANCIS ON PRAYER AND FASTING
Pope Francis on Fasting and Prayer Here are some penitential practices for all year long.Pope Francis proposes these 15 simple acts of charity as concrete manifestations of love: SMILE. A Christian is always cheerful Say THANK YOU for little things (even if you don’t… Continue Reading “POPE FRANCIS ON PRAYER AND FASTING”
WONDER IF….
As I sat musing the state of my world with the introduction of the Coronavirus, I kept wondering what would happen if certain scenarios played out. One such outcome is, this virus would mutate, become airborne, and kill millions of people, including myself. Such… Continue Reading “WONDER IF….”
SeekING GOD AT COSTCO
Several days ago, I found myself looking at a very low tire pressure on my right front tire of my car. It looked like a slow leak. The next day, I went to Costco, Tallahassee, Florida, where I had purchased the tires and told… Continue Reading “SeekING GOD AT COSTCO”
KERNELS OF FAITH
If Faith is the infinite storehouse of God’s goodness for us as adopted sons and daughters of the Father, then Belief is how we take the kernels of Faith and dispose them to those around us. For those who consciously seek God where they… Continue Reading “KERNELS OF FAITH”
i have a problem
For the last several weeks, I have been experiencing some very unusual thoughts. I would not say they are bad thoughts, but just persistent. Let me share. For the last month, I have been waking up at night almost always about 2:30 a.m. I… Continue Reading “i have a problem”
LINKING life’s lessons
Sometimes, thoughts trickle into my Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) reflections from very unlikely places. I have noticed recently that my focus is interrupted by sources, like my wife asking me to take her to Publix or Trader Joe’s. I always take her, or anyone… Continue Reading “LINKING life’s lessons”
THE TOWER OF BABEL rEDUX: the INEXPLICABLE race by our race toWARDS ignorance and self delusion
Where I am in my spiritual journey is not where I expected to be at this point in my life. The first part of my life (from birth to my profession as a Lay Cistercian at Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Monastery (Trappist),… Continue Reading “THE TOWER OF BABEL rEDUX: the INEXPLICABLE race by our race toWARDS ignorance and self delusion”
liturgy of the hours:GUIDE TO PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH UNIVERSAL TO THE FATHER THROUGH CHRIST
When I made my promises as a Professed Lay Cistercian at the Monastery of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit, I promised to seek God every day where I might be and in whatever venue I might find myself. This is a lifetime promise… Continue Reading “liturgy of the hours:GUIDE TO PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH UNIVERSAL TO THE FATHER THROUGH CHRIST”
Liturgy of the Hours: WWW.DIVINE OFFICE.ORG
A favorite site of mine is the URL http://www.divineoffice.org. Divine Office is another name for saying the Liturgy of the Hours, like Lectio Divina is a more in-depth look at contemplation. The purpose of all of these prayers is to “have in you the… Continue Reading “Liturgy of the Hours: WWW.DIVINE OFFICE.ORG”
CONTEMPLATION: Sharing
THE SIXTY SECOND CATHOLIC: Here are some of my thoughts from a Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) on sharing. I was thinking, as I always do, about “have in you the mind of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5) and h THE SIXTY SECOND CATHOLIC: Here are… Continue Reading “CONTEMPLATION: Sharing”
A SPIRITUAL AUDIT
Everyone during tax season seems to be doing an audit (filing taxes), our parish just concluded an audit of their books and procedures. I wondered what it would look like if I conducted an audit on my spiritual experiences today. It would be a… Continue Reading “A SPIRITUAL AUDIT”
CANTICLE OF PURE ENERGY
What follows is the Canticle of Daniel’s prayer as the three where praising God in the fiery furnace. At 3:50 A.M., this Saturday morning, I awoke suddenly and started my Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5). What came out was Daniel’s Canticle, but with a twist.… Continue Reading “CANTICLE OF PURE ENERGY”
CONTEMPLATION: Focus on Christ alone
I must admit to having trouble focusing on Christ, an acquired skill. I can think of Christ for a while, but my spiritual attention span is minutes, if not seconds. What has helped me is my introduction to Cistercian Spirituality, in terms of contemplative… Continue Reading “CONTEMPLATION: Focus on Christ alone”
SLOW DOWN YOUR PRAYER
This past weekend, I attended the annual retreat for Lay Cistercians of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Monastery (Trappist), Conyers, Georgia. It was a three day retreat (from Friday evening through Noon on Sunday). The theme was Praying with Mary, a topic of… Continue Reading “SLOW DOWN YOUR PRAYER”
CRAZY THOUGHTS IN MY LECTIO DIVINA
As you know, if you have tried to focus on the Lectio part of Lectio Divina, thoughts can sometimes come out of left field for a second and then disappear into the blackness. Here are some of my thoughts that I had and cast… Continue Reading “CRAZY THOUGHTS IN MY LECTIO DIVINA”
DO YOU LOVE GOD MORE THAN YOUR SPOUSE?
This topic is like walking in quicksand. If I am talking with my wife, of course, she is more important because she is more present to me (and, I would get killed if I said otherwise). If I am honest with what I believe… Continue Reading “DO YOU LOVE GOD MORE THAN YOUR SPOUSE?”
May the Peace of Christ be with you.
My Lectio Divina for Christmas Day (Philippians 2:5) takes me to a place I have never entered. We throw around the word, Peace is such a cavalier way that it almost becomes like eating oatmeal without the sugar and a dab of butter for… Continue Reading “May the Peace of Christ be with you.”
HOW GOOD ARE YOU AT FILLING HOLES?
My Lectio Divina has transported me to many unusual places. This is a recent one. My Lectio is always Philippians 2:5, but, when meditating (meditatio), I find that recent events pop into my consciousness (or is that unconsciousness?) I was recently talking with a… Continue Reading “HOW GOOD ARE YOU AT FILLING HOLES?”
ALL SOULS’ DAY
Today is All Souls Day. It might seem morbid to pray for someone who is already dead. If someone dies and is cremated, there are only ashes remaining, that is, if you don’t believe in the Resurrection. If you do hope that the words… Continue Reading “ALL SOULS’ DAY”
NOW WHAT?
As an immutable part of living, one of the aspects we take for granted is, everything we do has a beginning and an end. Why is that? I just returned from visiting my 99.10 year old Aunt who is a Sister of Providence at… Continue Reading “NOW WHAT?”
CHAPTER 4: Entitlements?
Unless you are a person who hs no television and does not know what Google means, you will recognize the sayings: Be All You Can Be, and, The Few. The Proud. A Marine. These statements suggest that, if you belong to the Army or… Continue Reading “CHAPTER 4: Entitlements?”
TEN REASONS PEOPLE FALL AWAY FROM THE FAITH
I write this because my Lectio Divina this week took me to a place where the Scriptures said even Jesus could not work miracles because of their lack of Faith. What comes first my belief or Faith? Scriptures also teaches us that no one… Continue Reading “TEN REASONS PEOPLE FALL AWAY FROM THE FAITH”
The Mystery of Faith
I never learned to read and speak Hebrew. I came close a couple of times. All language is simply learning the words and then applying them so that others can understand what you are saying. I have come to the awareness that there are… Continue Reading “The Mystery of Faith”
MY GROWTH IN CHRIST JESUS
One of my spiritual directors told me that I needed to keep growing in Christ Jesus every day in order to sustain my faith, hope, and love. Growing can mean many things, but I had a Lectio Divina meditation on it the other day… Continue Reading “MY GROWTH IN CHRIST JESUS”
THE SHIBBOLETH OF GOOD WORKS
Is there such a thing as a shibboleth of good works? What seems like a mouth full of gummy bears might actually have some importance for contemplative practice. THE TOWER OF BABLE It would be easier to be tossed into the proverbial briar patch… Continue Reading “THE SHIBBOLETH OF GOOD WORKS”
HEROES AND HEROINES
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS, O.P. When I use the word “saints” (lower case), I refer to a group of people all of whom are baptized with water and the Spirit, those in Heaven, those awaiting purification, and those special persons whom we hold up as… Continue Reading “HEROES AND HEROINES”
BIRTHDAY THOUGHT FROM A BROKEN-DOWN, OLD, LAY CISERCIAN
Here is what came out of my Lectio Divina meditation on my 79th birthday. That in all things God be glorified. –St. Benedict. Listen to the poem in silence and solitude. –A traveler in a foreign land
SPIRITUAL READING
Part of what it means to be a Lay Cistercian is a reverence for the word (lower case) that writers have for the Word (upper case) of God and how they interpret it. Cistercian authors advance the understanding of the Word by their words.… Continue Reading “SPIRITUAL READING”
A PRAYER BY THOMAS MERTON
Here is one of my favorite prayers from Father M. Louis (Thomas Merton), O.C.S.O. 6 months ago “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it… Continue Reading “A PRAYER BY THOMAS MERTON”
WHERE ARE THOSE OLD WEDDING PICTURES, NOW?
When was the last time you looked at those old wedding pictures? Blow off the dust and take a look at them again. They transport you back to a time when you celebrated something wonderful, your marriage with each other and your reliance on… Continue Reading “WHERE ARE THOSE OLD WEDDING PICTURES, NOW?”
BLUE SKYS
Here is a story that brings to mind all kinds of spiritual linkages. It is one that I heard from my wife, a true story that is happening in our days. When meditating on Philippians 2:5, this blue sky story led me to places… Continue Reading “BLUE SKYS”
CONCENTRATED ORANGE JUICE
Try to drink this cup of the Mystery of Faith! It is like concentrated orange juice–very tasty but strong. I had to address this in one of my Lectio Divina meditations (Philippians 2:5). I warn you, this is way out there (out there is… Continue Reading “CONCENTRATED ORANGE JUICE”
READINGS IN CONTEMPLATIVE THOUGHT
In order to develop contemplative practice, you must practice contemplative thinking. One way I do that is by reading. If your reading on a daily or weekly basis is on topics that deepen your “capcitas dei” the capacity to grow in Christ, then reading… Continue Reading “READINGS IN CONTEMPLATIVE THOUGHT”
MAKE A CONTEMPLATIVE RETREAT
Making a retreat is one of those events where there are a thousand reasons not to go but only one good one to go– to grow in the capacity to move from self to God. Movement is a sign you are alive. You can… Continue Reading “MAKE A CONTEMPLATIVE RETREAT”
JOIN THE SCHOOL OF LOVE
St. Benedict composes a Rule (d. 649 A.D.) to organize monks into forming a school for charity (love) in which they can move from the false self to the true self. What follows is an excerpt from my book on Learning How to Love.… Continue Reading “JOIN THE SCHOOL OF LOVE”
LUMEN GENTIUM: The Mystery of the Church
There is no more challenging sign of contradiction of our Faith than that of the Church. At once, holy and sinful, one yet diverse, catholic yet individual, and apostolic and current in each age. The Ecumenical Council of Vatican II produced a profound statement… Continue Reading “LUMEN GENTIUM: The Mystery of the Church”
ALL IN
There was a casino scene in a James Bond Film, Casino Royale, where the suave and debonaire Mr. Bond plays against the bad guys. The thing I remember about it is that players can make various degrees of wagering. One in particular that has… Continue Reading “ALL IN”
YOU HAVE NO IDEA
Once, there was a highly educated and refined woman, who wanted to become more spiritual. She began attending Eucharist almost every day. She was very happy when attending the meetings with those who also shared her Faith. The opportunity presented itself to attend a… Continue Reading “YOU HAVE NO IDEA”
DO WHAT YOU SAY
Maybe you have read my blog on Mean What You Say (maybe not). Meaning what you say is about aligning your mind with the words you say. Doing what you say is about aligning your heart with your activity. Christ is always urging his… Continue Reading “DO WHAT YOU SAY”
ARE YOU LISTLESS?
If you read this title you might be fooled by the actual purpose of this blog. Listless means being lifeless and without enthusiasm. It reminds me of those who seem to decry the state of imperfection in the World or the Church (or both)… Continue Reading “ARE YOU LISTLESS?”
THE DIDACHE
This blog has taken the liberty of copying the whole of the text of the Didache from http://www.NewAdvent.com because of its significance. There is no commentary following it. Read and ponder. New Advent is an excellent source for looking up readings from the early… Continue Reading “THE DIDACHE”
TEMPTATION AND FALLING AWAY FROM THE FAITH
This is an excerpt from my latest book, WE ARE DEFINED BY OUR CHOICES: A Lay Cistercian reflects on Temptation, Truth, Reason, and Free Choice and why people fall away from the Church. (out August 2, 2019) which are my reflections on the phenomenon… Continue Reading “TEMPTATION AND FALLING AWAY FROM THE FAITH”
WHAT LAS VEGAS HAS TO SAY ABOUT MY FAITH
If you haven’t done so already, then you know I must have flipped out or had too much to drink (I only drink holy water which makes the plastic flowers grow). I only say that because where my Lectio Divina (Phil 2:5) led me… Continue Reading “WHAT LAS VEGAS HAS TO SAY ABOUT MY FAITH”
THE END
According to Ecclesiastes, there is a time for everything under Heaven. A time to be born, a time to live, a time to discover and implement your purpose in life, a time to discover what reality looks like, a time to wonder about how… Continue Reading “THE END”
USING SCRIPTURE AS A TOOL FOR PRIDE
I keep bumping into them everywhere I go. You know the kind, the self-righteous, pompas, know-it-alls who have recently found Jesus in their hearts and want to spread their particular interpretation of who Jesus is to everyone who will listen. All religions have them.… Continue Reading “USING SCRIPTURE AS A TOOL FOR PRIDE”
LISTEN WITH THE EAR OF THE HEART
There is nothing more difficult for a human being than to listen to God with the ear of the heart. That God would even consider speaking to me in the silence of my heart is, in itself, astounding. What I try to do as… Continue Reading “LISTEN WITH THE EAR OF THE HEART”
WHAT IS GREATER THAN FAITH?
If you are a person who places their whole Faith in Faith, you will not want to read the rest of this. Like everything is the spiritual universe, nothing is what it seems. Not only is everything a sign of contradiction, but much of… Continue Reading “WHAT IS GREATER THAN FAITH?”
10 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
Despite the bad press about Mary and her being divine and the object of a cult, she is the mother of Jesus, the Son of the Living God. Of course, none of this makes any sense using the assumptions of the World. It is… Continue Reading “10 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT MARY, MOTHER OF GOD”
WHO ROWS YOUR BOAT?
What follows is an exerpt from my book, Who Rows Your Boat: How you can be happier than you can possibly imagine. Use these thoughts to expand your horizon. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=books+dr.+michael+f.+conrad Who Rows Your Boat? Who Rows Your Boat? If your life is a boat,… Continue Reading “WHO ROWS YOUR BOAT?”
TWEEKING MY LAY CISTERCIAN PRAYERS
Praying, for me, is not the same as when I began my Lay Cistercian odyssey seven years ago. I considered myself somewhat religious, but I could never have imagined I would be where I am today in my prayer life. Some of the prayer… Continue Reading “TWEEKING MY LAY CISTERCIAN PRAYERS”
GROWING DEEPER IN YOUR FAITH: Five Levels of Spiritual Awareness
I have uncovered five levels of spiritual awareness as I sat, one Sunday morning at Eucharist, thinking about how my attention span waxes and wanes as I listen to the Word. I usually must make an effort to keep my focus on the readings… Continue Reading “GROWING DEEPER IN YOUR FAITH: Five Levels of Spiritual Awareness”
10 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT TEMPTATIONS
Here are ten things I have learned about temptations that you may or may not have known before. Temptations are not sins. They are possible choices presented to you so that you can choose to move forward. Some choices are good for you, while… Continue Reading “10 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT TEMPTATIONS”
10 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT GOD
What follows are 10 thoughts I have had about God, some controversial, some traditional, all a part of the Mystery of Faith. The difficult part of limiting 10 ideas about God is daunting because I keep wanting to add more. Actually, God is One.… Continue Reading “10 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT GOD”
THE SIGN OF CONTRADICTION
One of the strangest of all the seemingly contradictory phenomena about spirituality, and I use Cistercian Spirituality as I know it, as my frame of reference, is the sign of contradiction. My Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) meditations have been trending toward thinking about a… Continue Reading “THE SIGN OF CONTRADICTION”
GET SPECIFIC IN YOUR PRAYER
When trying to devote whatever time I have left to prayer, as I promised to do when making my final promises as a Lay Cistercian, I have noticed a few thing that are important about my general prayer life. Sometimes my prayer life seems… Continue Reading “GET SPECIFIC IN YOUR PRAYER”
10 THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT LAY CISTERCIANS
What follows is my Lectio Divina on Philippians 2:5 that I had at 2:30 a.m. one night last week. I just happened to remember it and thought it might be of interest to you, it was to me. Lay Cistercians are laity who choose… Continue Reading “10 THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT LAY CISTERCIANS”
THE RESURRECTION ENIGMA
Blessed Easter. What follows is an excerpt from my newest publication, The Resurrection Enigma: A Lay Cistercian reflects on five consequences the Resurrection of Christ has for living Forever. St. Paul, as you will read, states that, if the Resurrection is false, our Faith… Continue Reading “THE RESURRECTION ENIGMA”
SEVEN WAYS OF DIVINE LOVE
In wandering in the vast hinterlands of the Internet, I came upon writings of a Cistercian Beatrice of Nazareth, that I would like to share with you. This is not my material, having copied it from another website. I thought it compelling enough to… Continue Reading “SEVEN WAYS OF DIVINE LOVE”
REACHING PERFECTION
I have always had a problem with spirituality until very recently. In the last six years, since I began my discernment as a Lay Cistercian (which I am still doing) into what it means to transform myself from my false self to a new… Continue Reading “REACHING PERFECTION”
SOME DAYS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS
One of the things I have noticed about myself as I try to fulfill the promises I made as a Professed Lay Cistercian, namely to do have in me the mind of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5) by praying a daily Lectio Divina, daily Eucharist,… Continue Reading “SOME DAYS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS”
CHAPTER 4: A Great Horror of Hell
Each age looks at the principles Christ taught us using the prevalent, collective thinking of the World. Reflecting on Hell is one of those things I don’t like to do but am compelled to do as my Lectio Divina during Lent and whenever I… Continue Reading “CHAPTER 4: A Great Horror of Hell”
Mr. McCarrick
As I sit here before the computer, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me in my search for God, a striking thought keeps infiltrating my consciousness. Earlier in the week, I had read an article in the “Tabloid” press about how the Vatican had… Continue Reading “Mr. McCarrick”
Eh?
It is a sure sign you are getting old when you must worry about getting cataract surgery and being tested for hearing aids. I had both of these done within the last two years. the last one (hearing test) done at the VA Clinic… Continue Reading “Eh?”
SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
I recommend that you consider asking someone to be your spiritual director. This should be a person of great integrity in things spiritual, especially as it pertains to the contemplative approach. One of the reasons that an outside person is helpful to give you… Continue Reading “SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR”
MAKING SENSE OF THE SACRED
I have discovered four questions that have caused me to sit up and take notice of the world around me. In my Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) last week, I thought of how reality fits together, even if I don’t see any connection at the… Continue Reading “MAKING SENSE OF THE SACRED”
SIC TRANSEAT GLORIA MUNDI
What goes around comes around eventually. Consider this example. We are all born without our consent, alone, from darkness into the light of the world. We live our unique lives at birth confined to a crib and would not exist without the help of… Continue Reading “SIC TRANSEAT GLORIA MUNDI”
CHAPTER 7: Fear of the Lord
In one of my Lectio Divina meditations on Philippians 2:5, I marveled at the key role that humility plays in the divine economy of salvation. Not only does this seem to be the cornerstone of any way of thinking with Jesus as the center,… Continue Reading “CHAPTER 7: Fear of the Lord”
THREE WAYS TO SEE GOD
This title may be a misnomer. There are many ways to see God and this is a reflection from my Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) about three of them that come to mind. My next door neighbor, now deceased, God rest his soul, was a… Continue Reading “THREE WAYS TO SEE GOD”
MAKING A CONTEMPLATIVE RETREAT
In February, Lay Cistercians of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Monastery, Conyers, Georgia, will be making their annual retreat. Retreats are special opportunities to advance the amount of time we spend in the presence of Christ. What follows is an excerpt from my… Continue Reading “MAKING A CONTEMPLATIVE RETREAT”
RESPECT OUR JEWISH HERITAGE
What follows is an exerpt from my newest book entitled PRESCRIPTIONS FOR LOVING GOD: A Lay Cistercian reflects on five sets of laws that enable us to seek God in everyday living. In going through my daily Lectio Divina, I thought about… Continue Reading “RESPECT OUR JEWISH HERITAGE”
THREE QUESTIONS THAT MAY ESCAPE YOU IN THE SEASON
This is the season to be jolly. It goes without saying (which is why I am saying it) that the search each one of us has to find meaning is much more mysterious than just a surface look at our physical universe (what we… Continue Reading “THREE QUESTIONS THAT MAY ESCAPE YOU IN THE SEASON”
FOUR QUALITIES FOR CONTEMPLATIVE SPIRITUALITY
In my very limited time being a Lay Cistercian, I have learned so much about the interior life, the realm of silence and solitude, the place where I had been afraid to look before now. I am actually astounded because I don’t even live… Continue Reading “FOUR QUALITIES FOR CONTEMPLATIVE SPIRITUALITY”
HOW WELL DO YOU KEEP THE LAW?
In going through my daily Lectio Divina, I thought about Philippians 2:5 and Matthew 22:37 when Christ told us that he did not come to change the Law but to fulfill it. I wondered, as I still do, what that might mean. I found… Continue Reading “HOW WELL DO YOU KEEP THE LAW?”
INTERNET RESOURCES YOU MAY USE TO MAKE ALL THINGS NEW
It might seem like an unlikely place to find inspiration about contemplative practice, but Youtube did that for me, as well as other websites and modern day marvels of communication. In particular, you may find the Youtube episodes of G. K. Chesterton (Google it)… Continue Reading “INTERNET RESOURCES YOU MAY USE TO MAKE ALL THINGS NEW”
OBEDIENCE: The Archetypal Sin
The following is excerpted from my new book, GETTING THERE FROM HERE: A Lay Cistercian reflects on Cistercian Charisms and how they move us to conversion of life from self to God. I have dedicated this book to the late Father Anthony Delisi, O.C.S.O., our Lay Cistercian spiritual… Continue Reading “OBEDIENCE: The Archetypal Sin”
WAYS TO APPROACH THE MYSTERY OF FAITH WITHOUT FRYING YOUR NEURONS A Lay Cistercian reflects how to approach the Mystery of Faith for those who wait before the Blessed Sacrament.
What follows is excerpted from my latest book, WAYS TO APPROACH THE MYSTERY OF FAITH WITHOUT FRYING YOUR NEURONS: A Lay Cistercian reflects how to approach the Mystery of Faith for those who wait before the Blessed Sacrament. I have added Internet resources so that this may… Continue Reading “WAYS TO APPROACH THE MYSTERY OF FAITH WITHOUT FRYING YOUR NEURONS A Lay Cistercian reflects how to approach the Mystery of Faith for those who wait before the Blessed Sacrament.”
THE ART OF SPIRITUALITY
THE ART OF SPIRITUALITY I have excerpted some ideas about the great Mysterium Fidei, the Mystery of Faith, from my most recent book entitled, YOU JUST MADE YOUR PROFESSION AS A CATHOLIC, NOW WHAT? A Lay Cistercian reflects on ten exercises you need to sustain Christ… Continue Reading “THE ART OF SPIRITUALITY”
FUN WITH THE PSALMS
FUN WITH THE PSALMS I love to recite the following Psalm, #136, mainly because it is fun to say over and over, like a mantra. These Psalms with their responses are perfect for two choirs of people alternative sides. I share with you Psalm… Continue Reading “FUN WITH THE PSALMS”
ARE YOU ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTION?
I love escapist movies (don’t ask me why). Some movies these days stress the supremacy of the Devil over Good. I am thinking of the movie entitled The Last Witch Hunter. This is not a critique of any of these movies. I like the graphics… Continue Reading “ARE YOU ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTION?”
A TALE OF NO
Here is what I can remember of a Lectio Divina (Phil2:5) I had a few months ago. Things tend to fade for me as I reach the North side of 77 years old. This is what I do remember. I was thinking of the… Continue Reading “A TALE OF NO”
BUILDING LAY CISTERCIAN CHARACTER: To hold one’s self aloof from worldly ways.
How do you build character in someone, preferably beginning with me? In one of my Lectio Divina (Phil 2:5) meditations, I thought of the human character of Christ and how he built it. He had to learn it in the same way we do,… Continue Reading “BUILDING LAY CISTERCIAN CHARACTER: To hold one’s self aloof from worldly ways.”
THE TIME YOU TAKE TO PRAY, THE DIFFICULTIES YOU ENDURE TO THINK ABOUT CHRIST IS ITSELF PART OF PRAYER
In the Catechism lessons of my Eighth Grade, I learned that prayer was a lifting of the heart and mind to God. During one of my Lectio Divina (Phil 2:5) meditations (on the way to contemplation), I thought about the high ceilings of St.… Continue Reading “THE TIME YOU TAKE TO PRAY, THE DIFFICULTIES YOU ENDURE TO THINK ABOUT CHRIST IS ITSELF PART OF PRAYER”
CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER AND CIVIL DISCOURSE
I was saddened this past week when I heard that Fox News Commentator and Syndicated Columnist, Charles Krauthammer had succumed to cancer. Life was certainly not kind to him, physically, but mentally, he was good for life, in particular as an commentator on the… Continue Reading “CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER AND CIVIL DISCOURSE”
MY TOP TEN FAVORITES: Movies
MY TOP TEN FAVORITES: Movies What follows is what came from my Lectio Divina (Phil 2:5) meditations. I need to acknowledge Brother Michael, O.C.S.O. and Brother Cassian, O.C.S.O., monks both at the Monastery of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit, Conyers, Georgia, for expanding… Continue Reading “MY TOP TEN FAVORITES: Movies”
WHAT IS YOUR CENTER?
Everything has a center. The world. The universe. The galaxy. God. Christ. You. Of all of those, the one most elusive is YOU. Your center is the sum of who you are, the North on your compass, that one thing that, if you took… Continue Reading “WHAT IS YOUR CENTER?”
MAY THE PEACE OF CHRIST BE WITH YOU.
During one of my Lectio Divina sessions on Philippians 2:5, I thought of what it means to say, “May the peace of Christ be with you.” We say this greeting at each Eucharist after saying the Our Father together as community of faith. What… Continue Reading “MAY THE PEACE OF CHRIST BE WITH YOU.”
WHAT DO YOU SEE?
What we see we do not see. What we hear we do not hear. Read Mark 8:17-19 New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) “And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not… Continue Reading “WHAT DO YOU SEE?”
SIMPLICITY IN PRAYER
As I become more like Christ and less like me, I appreciate the notion of Oneness. I am beginning to be aware that more is not necessarily better when it comes to prayer. At all times, I try to keep a healthy balance between … Continue Reading “SIMPLICITY IN PRAYER”
REFLECTIONS ON THE LAY CISTERCIAN RETREAT– 2018
Every now and then, more so now that I am 77 years old, I get an idea that sends me flush with excitement. For an old, broken-down temple of the Holy Spirit, that can be extremely important. Just returning from my annual Lay Cistercian… Continue Reading “REFLECTIONS ON THE LAY CISTERCIAN RETREAT– 2018”
SPIRITUALITY FOR ATHEISTS AND AGNOSTICS
I never know where my Lectio Divina meditations are going to take me. Once in a blue moon, I make it to the contemplatio part of my four steps. Often I just do what I call the chain Lectio (someone may have another term… Continue Reading “SPIRITUALITY FOR ATHEISTS AND AGNOSTICS”
The Center for Contemplative Practice 
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